This study addresses two research questions: (RQ1) how payment preferences influence spending across various categories, and (RQ2) how gender impacts students' spending behavior and payment mode choice.

A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was conducted among postgraduate students in Manipur  (n=100). Data on 18 spending categories and associated payment preferences were analyzed using non-parametric tests due to the non-normal distribution of the data.

For RQ1, payment preference is significantly associated with spending in 13 of 18 categories. For RQ2, gender influenced aggregate spending, with females spending more. The findings are discussed in relation to behavioral theory; counterintuitively, cash usage correlated with higher spending in some contexts, challenging simplistic 'pain of paying' models. This highlights the need for contextual analysis and provides nuanced implications for financial services in India